A write signal is examined so as to recognize occurrence of magnetization reversal for a first bit to be recorded, a second bit preceding the first bit and a third bit preceding the second bit. A write signal reversal for the first bit is delayed by a first delay when the second bit has an associated write signal reversal and when the third bit does not have an associated write signal reversal. A write signal reversal for the first bit is delayed by a second delay set to be smaller than the first delay, when the third bit has an associated write signal reversal and when the second bit has an associated write signal reversal, and a write signal reversal for the first bit is delayed by a third delay set to be smaller than the second delay, when the third bit has an associated write signal reversal and when the first bit does not have an associated write signal reversal.